NINETEEN gold medals are at stake in the centerpiece athletics competition at the 2024 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games starting Monday at Bicol University track and field stadium in this Albay province capital.

More than 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 17 regions are taking part in the tournament, which will begin with the men’s 5,000-meter event at 6 a.m. Monday, followed by the boys’ 5,000-m, women’s shot put, men’s long jump, girls’ shot put and boys’ long jump.

Scheduled in the afternoon are the girls’ 400m hurdles, men’s shot put, and women’s long jump; followed by the women’s 400m hurdles, boys’ 400m hurdles, men’s 400m hurdles, boys’ shot put, girls’ long jump, girls’ 100m, women’s 100m, boys’ 100m, men’s 100m, and women’s 5,000m.

Ten gold medals will be contested in weightlifting at the Gogon Elementary School covered court. The events are boys’ and men’s 50kg, men’s 54kg, women’s 48kg, 49kg, 52kg, 56kg and 61kg, and girls’ 40kg and 53kg.

Dancesport, to be held at Legazpi City Convention Center, offers two gold medals each in the Latin America and Modern Standard categories in the youth and senior divisions.

The Games will also feature archery, badminton, baseball, basketball, 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, karatedo, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and indoor volleyball.

Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal, Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Alfred Delos Santos and Bicol University president Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III were to make the welcome remarks during the opening ceremony late Sunday afternoon.

Philippine Sports Commission executive Paulo Tatad will deliver the message of chairperson Richard Bachmann, who was scheduled to leave for the Paris Olympics.

PRISAA National Board chair Rev. Fr. Vicente Uy, SVD, would lead the raising of the PRISAA regional flags while national president Edgar Balasta of Bicol Region would declare the formal opening of the tournament. (PNA)